High Vitamin Research Articles

Dietary intake with supplementation of vitamin D, vitamin B6, and magnesium on depressive symptoms: a public health perspective.

This study aims to understand the impact of dietary intake through supplementation of vitamins D, B6, and magnesium on elevated depressive symptoms, a mental health illness that is a leading contributor to global disability and a public health concern. Multiple datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-March 2020 investigated the associations between vitamin D, B6, and magnesium on depression screening scores. A cross-sectional sample of adults over 20 was extracted (n = 9,232). Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations. Individuals with low amounts of vitamin D (p = 0.0481) were more likely to report elevated depressive symptoms relative to those with low amounts of vitamin B6 (p = 0.0225). These results remained significant among those with high magnesium (p = 0.0133) proportionate to high vitamin B6 (p = 0.0225). In the age-adjusted model, a lower intake of vitamin D, vitamin B6, and magnesium showed a relationship with elevated depressive symptoms (Vitamin D: OR = 0.611, 95% CI 0.382-0.980 Vitamin B6: OR = 0.503, 95% CI 0.291-0.867 Magnesium: OR = 0.458, 95% CI 0.277-0.759). The fully adjusted regression model (gender, race/ethnicity, and household food security) showed that a lower intake of vitamin B6 and magnesium correlated with elevated depressive symptoms (Vitamin B6: OR = 0.439, 95% CI 0.260-0.738 Magnesium: OR = 0.465, 95% CI 0.303-0.714). Preventive measures could be addressed by identifying the risks of vitamin deficiencies. Further epidemiological research is needed for the individual effects of vitamin supplementation and depression screening scores. Future prospective cohort studies exploring these associations, focusing on daily dietary intake, are needed to validate the direction of causation further and understand the underlying mechanisms.

Freeze drying as a way to preserve the quality of vegetables to create functional products

Relevance. In order to expand the range of food products for the crews of the International Space Station (ISS), studies have been conducted on the specifics of developing natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of powder for freeze-dried dishes. The aim is to evaluate new broccoli hybrids as raw materials for the production of natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of powder for freeze-dried dishes of increased nutritional value and high degree of readiness for consumption, including components of children's, dietary and cosmonaut nutrition. Methods. The objects of the study were 6 new broccoli hybrids (2 hybrids of domestic and 4 of foreign breeding). Results. In domestic hybrids F1 (Detskiy delikates, Macho), the average vitamin C content in natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of freeze-dried powder of a high degree of readiness for consumption was 1.66 times higher than in foreign hybrids. The highest vitamin C content was noted in the domestic hybrid children's delicacy 419.4 mg %. β-carotene was best preserved in the hybrids F1 Detskiy delikates (2.58 mg %), F1 Macho (2.56 mg %), as well as in the hybrid F1 Batavia (2.52 mg %). The amount of sugars in natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of freeze-dried powder was on average 1.17 times higher in domestic hybrids than in foreign ones. At the same time, some foreign hybrids showed a high level of accumulation. So the largest accumulation of the sum of sugars was in the F1 Lord (12.85 %). A high level of sugar content was also observed in F1 Macho (12.84 %) and F1 Detskiy delikates (11.63 %). The F1 Fiesta accumulated the least nitrates (77.1 mg/kg). According to organoleptic indicators, the F1 Detskiy delikates has been identified. High organoleptic indices were also noted in the F1 Macho and the F1 Batavia.

Uji Kuantitas Kadar Antioksidan dan Kandungan Vitamin C Kombucha Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) dengan Pemanis Stevia berdasarkan Variasi Lama Fermentasi

This study aimed to determine the antioxidant levels and vitamin C content of secang kombucha with stevia sweetener based on variations in fermentation time. This research used experimental methods and a Completely Randomized Design with 1 factor, namely fermentation time of 11 days and 13 days with 3 replications each. Data analysis uses quantitative descriptive methods. The results of the research showed that the antioxidant content of secang wood kombucha with stevia sweetener was the highest in the 13 day fermentation treatment, namely 79.14%. Meanwhile, the highest vitamin C content of secang wood kombucha with stevia sweetener was in the 13 day long fermentation treatment, namely 39.14 mg/100g. Keywords: Antioxidants, Fermentation, Kombucha, Secang, Vitamin C

Business Opportunities for Food and Beverages from Natural Fibre Plant Materials

"Plants are rich source of agrochemicals and are being used for production of food and non-food materials. They play a pivotal role in food and beverage industry offering a sustainable alternative and prioritized before the animal originated ones. These materials offer distinct characteristics that are increasingly valued in the food industry. The components of fibre yielding plants viz. vegetables, grains, and seeds, are renowned for their nutritional value, including high fibre content, vitamins, and minerals, which can contribute to improved digestive health and overall well-being can also be used for production of foods and beverages. With increasing awareness of the health benefits associated with dietary fibre consumption, consumers are actively seeking out food and beverage options enriched with natural fibres from plant sources. To capitalize on this trend, companies are employing a variety of techniques, including formulation optimization, flavor masking, and texture enhancement, to seamlessly integrate natural fibres into a diverse range of products. Advances in supply chain technology, such as blockchain and traceability systems, enable companies to track and monitor the entire supply chain, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and ethical sourcing practices. Venturing the business opportunities of different natural fibres thus open a new vista for food and fibre industry in the years to come."

Determination of volatile components of citrus flowers and leaves growing in Hatay, Türkiye

Species belonging to the genus Citrus are produced and traded in large amounts around the world. In addition to the consumption of citrus fruits as food due to their high vitamin C content, their use in many areas has become widespread with the development of the plant-based products industry. In this study, the amount and structure of volatile components of leaves and flowers of 5 different citrus species (Citrus aurantium, Citrus limon, Citrus paradisi, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus sinensis) were determined using the solid phase micro extraction. Monoterpene hydrocarbons and their oxygenated derivatives were identified as the most abundant chemical component groups. Limonene was the dominant compound in Citrus limon flowers (36.5%), leaves (22.5%) and Citrus paradisi flowers (22.4%). Linalool, and sabinene were the other major components. Linalool was determined at 50.5% in flowers and 73.3% in leaves of Citrus aurantium. Moreover, sabinene had a high amount in Citrus sinensis flowers (19.7%), leaves (24.7%), and in Citrus paradisi (27.4%) leaves. Apart from these dominant components, γ-terpinene (13.9%) and p-cymene (25.4%) were detected in Citrus reticulata flowers and leaves in an important amount. It was seen that the leaves and flowers of Citrus species gathered from Hatay province were an important source of limonene and linalool compounds.

Comparative Analysis of Purification and Characterization Process of Phycocyanin Pigment from Spirulina Subsalsa with Arthrospira Platensis from Mexico

The Arthrospira maxima, Spirulina major, and Spirulina subsalsa are plenty available in Mexican lakes and ponds. This cyanobacterium is used as an important dietary supplement due to its high protein content and vitamins. However, the most commercial strain in use is A. platensis, and very few reports exist on other Spirulina species from Mexico and their potential phycocyanin production. To use at a commercial scale, it is essential to evaluate native strains in an efficient purification process. In this work, we demonstrated the potential of Spirulina subsalsa for phycocyanin pigment production and purification process, compared with native A. platensis from Mexico. The biomass yield with S. subsalsa was 4.50±0.10 g/Lt, which was higher than A. platensis, which was 1.36 g/lt. The crude phycocyanin pigment from S. subsalsa was 267±0.37 mg/g, whereas 221±0.04mg/g in the case of A. platensis. After partial purification, we found a higher purity grade in S. subsalsa, with a higher yield and a recovery percent of 39.75%. In the case of A. platensis, after partial purification, the recovery percentage was 35.37. After ionic chromatography purification, the purity of phycocyanin was 2.57±0.03 in the case of S. subsalsa, whereas 1.91±0.02 in the case of A. platensis. SDS gel electrophoresis demonstrated two phycocyanin bands showing 17 kDa and 12 kDa in the case of both species. The two-step purification process functions very well for S. subsalsa species, whereas A. platensis demonstrated efficiency with one step. The extracted C-PC from S. Sulsalsa is safe as per the cytotoxicity assay.

In vivo retinoid metabolic and visual cycle pathways assessment of carotenoid-rich refined red palm-pressed mesocarp olein

The Palm-pressed mesocarp is a by-product from the palm oil mill and is comprised of 5–7 % of residual oil, which could be further refined into red palm-pressed mesocarp olein (PPMO). This study aimed to obtain the chemical profile of PPMO and assess its eye health effects through retinoid metabolic and visual cycle pathways regulation. PPMO contains exceptionally high vitamin E (1819.0 ppm) and carotenoid (1113.8 ppm) contents with a similar fatty acid composition to palm olein. The rats fed with 2 g/kg PPMO daily for 84 days through oral gavage up-regulated the retinol and retinyl palmitate levels, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of RBP4 in blood, CRBP1 and LRAT in the liver, RPE65 and RDH5 in the eye. The outcomes showed that PPMO showed comparable regulation effects with β-carotene in the retinoid metabolic and visual cycle pathways, revealing it as a phytonutrient-rich edible oil with beneficial eye health effects.

Abstract P255: The Longitudinal Association Between Dietary Vitamin K Intake and Cognitive Function in the General Population (Tanushimaru Cohort Study)

Background: A relationship between vitamin K intake and cognition has been shown in several studies, although most of them were cross-sectional studies. Therefore, we investigated the association vitamin K intake and cognitive change in the longitudinal cohort study. Methods: We recruited 976 participants who had a health check-up in 2009 and were followed in 2018 in a prospective Tanushimaru cohort study. We had a dietary interview using brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in 2009 and 2018. Vitamin K intake was calculated based on BDHQ data. We defined people with ≦23, 24-27, 28≦ score of MMSE as dementia-level, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal cognition (NC), respectively. Generalized additive model (GAM) was performed to examine non-linearity of the association between vitamin K intake in 2009 and cognitive change over time. Additionally, we estimated risks for progression from MCI to dementia-level for 9 years by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 62.6±9.0 years old and dementia-level, MCI and NC in 2009 were 1.6%, 38.7% and 59.6%, respectively. Vitamin K intake in 2009 was not associated with conversion from NC to MCI/dementia-level, but was inversely associated with progression from MCI to dementia-level. According to GAM (Fig 1), its association was linear and we defined 400 μg/day of vitamin K intake as a cut-off value. MCI participants with and low vitamin K intake (<400μg/day) in 2009 had higher risk for dementia progression compared to those with high vitamin K intake (≧400μg/day) (4.77% vs 0.67%)(Fig 2A). Additionally, regarding its concurrent relationship, MCI participants keeping high vitamin K intake from 2009 to 2018 had quite low dementia risk than those with low vitamin K intake in 2009 and 2018 (0.25% vs 5.65%) (Fig 2B). Conclusion: Higher dietary vitamin K intake was significantly associated with maintaining cognitive function for 9 years and may prevent cognitive decline to dementia-level.

Study protocol for supplementation of single high dose Vitamin D in deficient critically ill children and assessment of their short-term outcome: An open label randomized control trial

Vitamin D, traditionally linked to bone metabolism, plays pleotropic roles in cellular regulation. In critically ill children, Vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse outcomes, motivating our open-label Randomized Control Trial. Our aim is to assess short-term outcomes in Vitamin D-deficient critically ill children following a single high oral dose. Conducted at a central Indian tertiary care hospital with a sample size of 100, participants aged 1 month to 18 years will be randomized. Group A receives standard treatment with customary cholecalciferol dosing, while Group B receives standard treatment with a single high oral/nasogastric tube dose (10,000 IU/kg to 400,000 IU) of Vitamin D. Outcomes include PICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation period, occurrences of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infection, instances of Acute Kidney Injury, presence of Multiorgan dysfunction, maximum Vasoactive-Inotrope Score, and mortality rates. Results and interpretation will be guided by study observations. Trial registration: CTRI/2022/10/046556.

Potential Applications of Yeast Biomass Derived from Small-Scale Breweries

Yeast biomass, a brewery by-product of the world’s substantial alcohol beverage industry, finds successful applications in the fodder industry and food additive production. This is attributed to its rich nutritional profile that comprises high protein and vitamin content. Nonetheless, in small-scale breweries, yeast slurries present a significant challenge, as the quantities obtained are insufficient to attract the attention of the food industry. The disposal of yeast contributes substantially to the organic load of wastewater (approximately 40%) and elevates water consumption (3–6 hL/hL of beer), consequently escalating production costs and environmental impact. In recent years, diverse potential applications of products derived from yeast biomass have emerged, encompassing the substitution of sera in cell culture media, the fortification of animal feed with vitamins and selenium, the utilization of beta-glucan in low-fat food products, and the development of functional foods incorporating yeast-derived peptides. These peptides exhibit the potential to safeguard the gastric mucosa, prevent hypertension, and address neurodegenerative disorders. The rising demand for value-added products derived from yeast underscores the potential profitability of processing yeast from small breweries. Due to the high equipment costs associated with yeast biomass fractionation, the establishment of specialized facilities in collaboration with multiple small breweries appears to be the most optimal solution.

Maternal use of nitrosatable drugs during pregnancy and adult male reproductive health: A population-based cohort study.

Prenatal exposures to xenobiotics during the masculinization programming window are suggested to impact male fecundity later in life. Frequently used nitrosatable drugs, such as penicillins and beta2-agonists, contain amines or amides that may form teratogenic compounds in reaction with nitrite. We explored whether maternal nitrosatable drug use during gestation was associated with biomarkers of male fecundity in adulthood; moreover, the potential modifiable effect of nitrate and vitamin intake was investigated. We performed a cohort study in the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality cohort that includes semen characteristics, reproductive hormone concentrations, and measures of testis size on 1058 young adult sons in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Information on maternal use of nitrosatable drugs was obtained from questionnaires and interviews around gestational weeks 11 and 16. A multivariable negative binomial regression model was used to obtain relative differences in biomarkers of male fecundity for those whose mothers used nitrosatable drugs compared to those without such maternal use. In sub-analyses, the exposure was categorized according to nitrosatable drug type: secondary amine, tertiary amine, or amide. We investigated dose dependency by examining the number of weeks with intake and explored potential effect modification by low versus high maternal nitrate and vitamin intake from diet and nitrate concentration in drinking water. We added selection weights and imputed values of missing covariates to limit the risk of selection bias. In total, 19.6% of the study population were born of mothers with an intake of nitrosatable drugs at least once during early pregnancy. Relative differences in biomarkers related to male fecundity between exposed and unexposed participants were negligible. Imputation of missing covariates did not fundamentally alter the results. Furthermore, no sensitive subpopulations were detected. The results suggest that maternal use of nitrosatable drugs does not have a harmful influence on the male fecundity of the offspring.

Effect of Various Types of Sugars on Antioxidant Activity and Physico-chemical Properties of Kombucha Fermented Whey

Kombucha or known as SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) is a fermented tea beverage with the addition of sugar then fermented for 7-14 days. Recent studies showed kombucha conceivably used for milk fermentation, such as fermented whey, yogurt, and fermented milks. Sugar is added to kombucha as carbon source for microorganisms in kombucha. Type of sugar, sugar concentration, tea concentration, temperature and incubation time are factors that affect kombucha fermentation. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of various types of sugars on antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) and physicochemical properties (pH, titratable acidity, total dissolved solid, and CIE L* a* b* color space value). The various types of sugars were granulated white sugar (G1), coconut sugar (G2), palm sugar (G3) and no sugar addition as control (G0). Fermented whey using 10% kombucha liquor, 3% kombucha cellulose and 10% sugar addition, whey then fermented at 37oC for 14 hours. Result demonstrated that using of various types of sugars significantly affected antioxidant activity, CIE L*a*b* color space value, pH, titratable acidity, total dissolved solid and vitamin C content. The highest vitamin C content was G3 (0.91±0.05 mg/100ml), kombucha fermented whey using palm sugar. Any type of sugar could be used on kombucha fermented whey, and the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH) was fermented whey kombucha with the addition of coconut sugar (G2) (86.79±10.94%).

Medicinal, Nutritional and Health Benefits, Pharmacological Properties of KIWI – A Review

Global health and treatment approaches aim to combine complementary and alternative medicine with evidence-based medicine to better comprehend the human body’s metabolic processes. The kiwi fruit frequently referred to as the "Chinese gooseberry" belongs to the Actinidiaceae family and is classified as Actinidia genus andspecies deliciosa. Kiwi fruit has seen a significant increase in demand recently because of its high vitamin C content.Kiwi fruit is also a great source of antioxidants, carotenoids, iron, and dietary fiber. These could help regulate blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, promote wound healing, and enhance intestinal health. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin help the body eliminate free radicals and may shield the body from a number of illnesses and inflammations. Contributing significantly to the flavonoid and phenolic contents in kiwi fruit, it is a primary source of phytochemicals such as caffeic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Numerous pharmacological qualities, such as anti-diabetic, anti- tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antioxidant activity, hypoglycemia, hypolipidemic, and many more, have been linked to kiwi fruit and its constituents. In addition to these, kiwi fruit is traditionally used to treat microbiological infections, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, edema, and renal issues. The fiber in kiwi fruit promotes the fruit's ability to retain water, which helps to shorten transit times and preserves the person's gastrointestinal health. Studies are also being conducted on the homeostatic balance, weight maintenance, and insulin and glucose balance in relation to kiwi fruit consumption. Keywords: Actinidia deliciosa, Chinese gooseberry, Hypoglycemia, Kiwi, Cancer

Artificial neural networks optimize the establishment of a Brazilian germplasm core collection of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata D.)

With widespread cultivation, Cucurbita moschata stands out for the carotenoid content of its fruits such as β and α-carotene, components with pronounced provitamin A function and antioxidant activity. C. moschata seed oil has a high monounsaturated fatty acid content and vitamin E, constituting a lipid source of high chemical–nutritional quality. The present study evaluates the agronomic and chemical–nutritional aspects of 91 accessions of C. moschata kept at the BGH-UFV and propose the establishment of a core collection based on multivariate approaches and on the implementation of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). ANNs was more efficient in identifying similarity patterns and in organizing the distance between the genotypes in the groups. The averages and variances of traits in the CC formed using a 15% sampling of accessions, were closer to those of the complete collection, particularly for accumulated degree days for flowering, the mass of seeds per fruit, and seed and oil productivity. Establishing the 15% CC, based on the broad characterization of this germplasm, will be crucial to optimize the evaluation and use of promising accessions from this collection in C. moschata breeding programs, especially for traits of high chemical–nutritional importance such as the carotenoid content and the fatty acid profile.

Vitamin A Positively Correlates with Secretory Immunoglobulin A: A Cross-Sectional Study in Omicron COVID-19 Outpatients.

Background: Respiratory tract infections remain among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of mucosal immunity in defending against infectious agents. Vitamin A is known to influence the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) predominantly in the gut, where it is a critical component of the first line of defense on mucosal surfaces. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted 14 days post-positive COVID-19 diagnosis, aimed to determine the relationship between the nutritional status of vitamin A and SIgA levels in COVID-19 outpatients. Serum and saliva samples were collected. Vitamin A nutritional status was determined based on the assessment of dietary intake and the analysis of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4). SIgA levels were analyzed from salivary samples. In addition, serum antibodies were analyzed. Results: Dietary vitamin A intake and RBP4 levels positively correlated with SIgA. Patients with higher vitamin A intake showed higher SIgA/IgG1 and SIgA/IgG3 ratios, while those with higher RBP4 levels showed higher SIgA/IgM, SIgA/IgG1, and SIgA/IgG2 ratios. Conclusions: These findings underscore a significant correlation between vitamin A nutritional status and SIgA levels in COVID-19 outpatients, which may suggest the potential importance of maintaining optimal vitamin A levels for the prevention of viral infections.

Vitamin D and aerobic capacity in patients with obesity: a systematic review

Objective: analyze the relationship between Vitamin D levels and aerobic capacity in obese adults, through a systematic review registered in PROSPERO under ID CRD42022321595. Methods: 4062 articles were evaluated, with 06 meeting the criteria. Results: They indicate a association between high Vitamin D levels (≥ 30 ng/mL) and aerobic capacity, up to 4.7 Mets. This association is observed in both male and female adults with obesity. Conclusion: Data from this review suggest that there is an association between vitamin D levels and aerobic capacity in individuals with obesity.

Should I Supplement Vitamin D in a Patient With Sepsis?

Sepsis is a potentially fatal organ failure produced by the host's immune response to infection. It is critical to identify risk factors associated with a poor prognosis in septic patients in order to develop new therapy options. Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin cholecalciferol < 20 ng/mL) is common in critical and septic patients. Serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with an increased incidence of mortality in critically ill adult patients. In critically ill patients, vitamin D supplementation (a very high vitamin D 3 or cholecalciferol loading dosage as a single bolus dose ranging from 400,000 to 540,000 IU) is feasible and safe. Some of the trials and their post-hoc analyses evaluating vitamin D supplementation in severely sick individuals, including septic patients, suggested possible benefits in mortality (reduced 28-day mortality in the range of 8.1%-17.5%), and other outcomes (reduction in hospital length in the range from 9 to 18 days, and decrease in duration of mechanical ventilation in the range from 5 to 10 days). Despite the fact that many studies support the provision of vitamin D to septic patients, there are still many studies that contradict this opinion, and there is still debate about the recommendation to use vitamin D in sepsis. A pragmatic clinical approach in severe sepsis could be supplementation of vitamin D if serum levels are diminished (< 30 ng/mL). It appears that a single ultrahigh dose of vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) could be administered to the septic patient via an enteral tube, followed by daily or monthly maintenance doses. Parenteral administration might be reserved for a subgroup of septic patients with gastrointestinal, hepatic, or renal dysfunction. Future clinical trials designed exclusively for septic patients are required to assess the potential advantages of vitamin D. Possible impacts of selective activators of vitamin D receptors, such as paricalcitol, should be elucidated in sepsis. This emphasizes the requirement for more study and confirmation of any potential beneficial effects of vitamin D in sepsis.

Effect of organic substrates on growth, yield, and quality of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

The experiment was conducted on organic substrates to determine the efficiency of reusing waste on spinach growth, yield, quality, and economic efficiency. The result showed treatment 2 (the mix of coffee grounds, cow manure, abalone mushroom residue, and rice husk ash) and treatment 6 (coffee grounds, cow manure, abalone mushroom residue, rice husk ash, and soil) were the best results in 9 treatments. Analysis of nutrition showed that these substrates had total N > 0.11%, P205 > 0.22%, and K2O > 7.39%. Treatment 2 had 25.0 cm of tree height and 29.1 leaves/tree. Leaf length, leaf width (23.8 cm - 8.3 cm), canopy diameter (23.9 cm), chlorophyll 39,6 SPAD Units, root length 14.3 cm, and stem diameter 0.8 cm. The average tree weight and theoretical yield had the highest (76.0 g-2.50 tons/1000 m2). The dry matter percentage was recorded at 12.9%. Treatment 6 was the treatment with the highest Vitamin C content (0.12%). The results of profit, capital efficiency, and marginal income index of treatment two were recorded (45.3 million VND/1000 m2-2.2 - 21.6). The formula, including coffee grounds, cow manure, abalone mushroom residue, and rice husk ash, was the best prospect for application in production practices.

The Effects of Dietary Supplement of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) as a Fishmeal Replacer on Growth Performance and Carotenoid Concentration in Buenos Aires Tetra (Aphyocharax anisitsi)

Background: Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) is a potential ingredient in aquafeed for containing high protein, minerals, vitamins and pigments which provide nutritional value to fish. It is a growth promoter and carotenoid source in non-ornamental fishes. Methods: To evaluate the potential of A. platensis (Spirulina) as a growth promoter and carotenoid source for transferring from the diets to the muscle and skin of Buenos Aires Tetra, Aphyocharax anisitsi, five experimental diets were prepared by replacing fishmeal, D0 (0%) (control), D25 (25%), D50 (50%), D75 (75%) and D100 (100%). The growth parameters like weight gain, length gain, specific growth rate and food conversion ratio were measured and carotenoid content in the muscle and skin of the fish was estimated. Result: At the end of the experiment, significantly (P less than 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), length gain (LG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in D50 and D75 diet groups compared to control and D100 where fishmeal was replaced by 21 g and 31.5 g spirulina respectively. The carotenoid content in the muscle and skin was also found to be highest in D75 compared to control. The findings of this experiment showed that A. platensis could replace up to 50% and 75% fishmeal in the diet of A. anisitsi for optimum growth and carotenoid accumulation in the muscle and skin.

Effect of processing temperature on vitamin C content of Citrus aurantifolia drink using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Lime is rich in vitamin C, however, it is easily degraded by high processing temperatures. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of processing temperature variations on the vitamin C content in lime drinks using the HPLC method. This study used a completely randomized design with one factor, namely different processing temperatures (no processing, 5°C, 28°C, 38°C, and 90°C) with 5 repetitions. The results showed that the processing temperature significantly affected in decreasing vitamin C content of lime drinks. The higher the processing temperature, the lower the measured vitamin C content. Lime drinks without processing have a higher vitamin C content (0.0330%) compared to 5ºC temperature (0.0328%), 28°C temperature (0.0318%), 38°C temperature (0.0317%), and 90°C temperature (0.0309%).